An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into the incident found that the company had not implemented procedures to ensure machinery was isolated before starting maintenance work.
OSHA investigators concluded flammable vapors or gases from a vacuum truck leaked, igniting the pipeline.
OSHA cited the manufacturer of dog treats for 19 violations, including failing to implement lockout/tagout procedures, blocking electrical panels, failing to develop a hazard communication program, and exposing workers to confined space, machine guarding, and electrical hazards.
During the Puyallup event, which will run from 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., speakers will cover topics including fall protection, trenching, biohazards, lockout/tagout, and silica exposure prevention.
Cal/OSHA cited Alhambra Foundry for similar violations eight years ago.
It is much more effective to share with workers the ways and means the company has decided to do things, rather than let impersonal government regulations drive critical behaviors.
OSHA has cited Georgia auto parts manufacturer HP Pelzer Systems Automotive Inc. for safety violations after an employee suffered a finger amputation.
In general, OSHA's view on robot safety is that if the employer is meeting the requirements of ANSI/RIA R15.06, the manufacturer has no issues.
The penalty for the repeat-serious lockout/tagout violation was $52,800; L&I has cited the employer four times in three years for similar violations, with three of them involving a finger amputation.
Wind turbines are getting larger and larger. Some turbines' nacelles can be about 160 meters—about 525 feet—above the ground, and the blades can be about 75 meters long.
We have found that only about 10 percent of companies run effective lockout programs. In fact, we have observed that up to three-out-of-ten employers have no lockout program at all.
A British recycling company has been fined about $1.1 million and two individuals were given suspended prison sentences for the death of an employee who was pulled onto a conveyor and into an industrial waste shredder.
The company was cited for two willful, seven serious, and five other-than-serious violations, according to the agency's news release.
"We're pleased to award these grants to employer groups, labor organizations, and other non-profits that have demonstrated innovation and diversity in their training programs," MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman said. "We appreciate the collaborative effort of these grantees and their mutual commitment toward preventing workplace injuries and illnesses."
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Shield Packaging will pay $150,000 in penalties, provide documentation to OSHA that all hazards have been corrected, retain a professional engineer to approve the design and installation of a safety interlock on the machine that injured the worker, retain a qualified safety consultant to perform a comprehensive inspection of the plant, and develop a workplace safety and health program.
L&I said the most important change is a new wireless section that covers non-ionizing radiation. The rules contain requirements covering expected hazards of tower work, host employer/contractor responsibilities, microwave/laser technology, control of hazardous energy, working during darkness, fall protection, remote cell tower sites, and emergency response and rescue.
The two-year alliance will focus on preventing exposure to hazards associated with grain bin entry, machine guarding, respiratory protection, falls, heat exposure exposures, combustible dust, struck-by equipment, and lockout/tagout.
Attendees at VPPPA's annual national conference got their first look at the exhibit floor during an Aug. 29 reception inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in downtown New Orleans.
"It is a pleasure to recognize Cintas for its company culture that promotes excellence in workplace safety and health," said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. "Implementing best practices for increased worker safety exemplifies a true commitment among management and staff at this facility."
Carthage Specialty Paperboard faces $357,445 in penalties for more than 60 safety and health violations.